​Joe Allen will be allowed to leave ​Stoke this summer, but only for a club in the top six of the ​Premier League.

Stoke were relegated last weekend and Allen is one of the few players who might remain in the Premier League next season. The Telegraph reports that an unusual clause in his contract means that one of the big six can sign him for a fixed fee of £25m.

The only member of the top six not included in this clause is Liverpool, the team from whom Allen joined Stoke for £13m in 2014. If another club wants to sign Allen, Stoke have no contractual obligation to sell regardless of price.

​West Ham had a bid of about £25m rejected in January but it remains to be seen whether they will renew their interest this summer. Stoke intend to take a hardline stance but their relegation could force them to sell at a lower price than originally intended.